Offensive line eyes chance to bounce back
The Miami Dolphins, and particularly their unsung offensive line, were trending in the right direction before their 17-point loss to the Buffalo Bills last week.
The Dolphins added a former starter back into the mix — the seventh offensive line combination in 10 games — against Buffalo’s third-ranked defense, which sacked quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick seven times. It was one of the unit’s worst performances of the season.
Now, the Dolphins need the offensive line to regain its chemistry for the final stretch of the season, beginning with Sunday’s road game against the Cleveland Browns.
“We definitely didn’t play our best game — there’s no denying that,” rookie left guard Michael Deiter said. “But we can’t just sulk about it. We have to get better.”
Veteran Daniel Kilgore used slightly more colorful language regarding the team’s need to rebound from the Bills game and added: “I’m tired of everybody talking s—-, and I’m tired of playing like s—-. It’s very important for us to bounce back.”
The latest Dolphins player thrown into the fire is third-year offensive tackle Julien
Davenport, who started at left tackle against the Bills in his first game in 10 weeks since suffering a leg injury in Week 2.
The move forced eight-year veteran J’Marcus Webb — who started eight straight games, including six in a row at left tackle — to the bench.
Whether Davenport remains in the starting lineup against Cleveland remains to be seen.
“I would say the last few weeks, it looked like it was moving in the right direction. I still feel like it’s moving in the right direction but [it was] definitely a setback,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said of Sunday’s performance against the Bills. “We have to play better on the offensive line.”
With Webb in the lineup alongside Deiter, Kilgore, Evan Boehm at right guard and homegrown right tackle Jesse Davis, Miami’s continuity was at its best in Weeks 7-9.
The continuity has drastically improved since:
■ Davis, who practiced all offseason at right tackle only to start the first three games at left tackle, was moved back to right tackle, where he has played the last six games.
■ Boehm emerged after former starting right guard Danny Isidora suffered a season-ending foot injury. He also started three games at center when Kilgore was sidelined.
■ Webb was moved from right tackle to left tackle after Week 3.
■ Davis (elbow) and Kilgore returned from injuries.
“I think chemistry is built over the course of the season,” Flores said of his offensive line.
“I think we had, you think back to where we were in Week 2 or 3 and where we were in Weeks 6-7, you can see the chemistry built. And then, there’s ebbs and flows to every season, every game. I think there’s good chemistry — regardless of who goes in there.”
Except that was not the case against the Bills with Davenport in the lineup.
Davenport left the Bills game early, favoring his right leg, but he returned to practice this week.
The Dolphins could use the rest of the season to evaluate Davenport’s potential future with the team. He was acquired from the Houston Texans in the Laremy Tunsil trade. While Davenport is under contract through the 2020 season, the Dolphins could part ways with him and his $735,000 salary in the offseason.